Panabo City
Last week I went to a City not far from Davao called Panabo City here in Mindanao. I have been there many times and I find it a great place for markets and a great atmosphere and friendly place even though its officially out of the “protection” of Davao City.
I decided to go by bus and this was a great experience as the bus had hardly any windows and seats that just remained on the metal frames because of the weight of your body. The internal electrics dropped in front of your eyes and seemed to be joined wires at many points, I am really not sure what the wires were doing but it seemed a recent addition to the luxury bus.
Add to the delight was our jumping over cartons and fruit and many chickens that blocked the floor and even some of the seats. I wonder if the chickens had to pay for the seat?
Once arrived at Panabo I met some good friends and had the ritual JOLIBEE ( A McDonald’s substitute), following th e gourmet meal I told fellow columnist Migs from Manila that he would be so impressed by the great markets here in Panabo.
So we walked around the streets which seemed quieter than my last visit, not as many stalls along the roads, I now know that this was the Mayor trying to remove unlicensed traders, although he is of course correct it did take away some of the ambiance.
Unfortunately too there was a major fire a few weeks before that burned down many market stalls and the poor stall holders have lost everything as no insurance or replacement site is available.
I understand that there also is some dispute about a new shopping Mall that wanted to occupy the area, thats seems to have been sorted now as there are no market traders to move on.
Still the meat market and fruit markets were spectacular and well worth a visit and the people of Panabo are friendly and very hospitable as proven to my trip to the Wharf which has a small Mango beach where locals enjoy a drink or two or even more and the kids play and the atmosphere is very lively.
One local and his family after a few too many Rums decided he need a picture with this mad Caucasian who had visited this beautiful area, we stayed for Coke Cola and decided to move on increase the invites to drink the Rum become too overwhelming for me to say no.
Back into the City main I saw a stall being wheeled around that said KWIK KWAK and as you see from the video below it was QUALYES eggs(that seemed to be Ducks eggs to my eyes), covered in oil and a form of breadcrumbs that looked delicious. However after a few hours in the sun I did not want to risk those eggs on my delicate stomach, if you know what I mean.
The home journey was on a air conditioned bus that I had to stand up for the whole journey and for some reason I had to pay double fare compared to everyone else on the bus…I WONDER WHY?
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AS THE PHILIPPINES ALWAYS IS
kamusta john
ahhh i see you have been to my home away from home. i have to agree that panabo is a very nice place in mindanao.i rent a house near the new bus station there.all the markets are nice and layed back kinda place. you wont find more friendly people in philippines .next time you visit panabo try lafranz restruant which is very near wharehouse food market,exellent spagetti.i have spent alot of time in panabo and love it there very much,
nice to see your article here on panabo
salamat John
John
Was your double fare because we westerners are normally double size, or double trouble, not sure (joke John), enjoyed the article and the videos, i normally speed through panabo on the way to tagum where ann’s family live, looks like it could bge worth a stop off another time, and you survived thats the main thing, good job you have migs to look after you (hi migs)
hello john
it seems you rarely reply to your comments on lip.i know bob and feyma allways reply to comments here.i was just wondering why????
salamat john
Hi Ron, so sorry my friend I have been told off by Bob many times for lack of return comments. I am not a natural like Bob, but a learning.
Regarding Panabao I have always enjoyed going there, but I have t say I was a little shocked by the market fire. It seems a little character was lost I hope its just temporay as that city has a soft spot for me.
Rick
I will not tell anyone but a baby due in a few days i hear, I know a nice little bar in Panabo we can wet the baby’s head,,Ron bring a bottle.
Rick: Having come from Manila, and being a total stranger in Mindanao, I am not sure it’s me who can look after John. Maybe it should be the other way around? Never mind the double fare; John, I heard, is learning to speak Bisaya now.
Hi John, double fare??? Sure, because you a great person… . I enjoy your article. Before I also just speeded through Panabo, up to the moment someone told me to “stopover”. Amazing is the clean market…
kamusta john
yes i will bring a bottle of whiskey hehehe.i didnt know there was a fire until you post it here.thanks for the reply.
salamat kayuuu john
hello john
i just wanted to comment on the saftey in panabo.i was driving a motorcycle with my fiancee one night and wanted to walk on the public beach and when we stopped a security guard told me i should never go to the public beach at night.very dangerous there i guess.and also malativus is a dangerous place because alot of npa there now so be careful if your traveling away from the settles areas.
salamat john
Ron I agree it was mid afternoon when I visited the beac and the drinks were flowing for sure,I think I would be attracting attention being there too long. Hence we stayed 20 mins and left
i am from panabo city! it’s goog that i am reading nice feedbacks from your visit there.
i am from panabo city! it’s good that i am reading nice feedbacks from your visit there.
Well I am proud of your city too
well im glad i got to read so many great comments abt panabo city, actually im abt to visit this place sometime soon as my new gf is originally from ther…so are there actually any bars that foreigners cant flock to safely?? i mean i really dont wanna annoy any locals ther especially when my girl is one of them if you guys get what i mean…taz…Malaysia